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Comprehensive sex ed bill passes committee

Legislation sponsored by Senator Ted Deutch (D-Boca Raton) designed to stem the staggering rate of teen pregnancy and the rising numbers of teens afflicted with sexually transmitted diseases passed the Senate Committee on Education Pre-K-12 on Tuesday. The vote was 4 to 3.

“When we are seeing studies that show one in four teenage girls have a sexually transmitted disease, we cannot ignore that our kids need to be taught medically accurate information so they can keep themselves healthy,” said Senator Deutch.

Deutch’s Healthy Teens Act, Senate Bill 848, would require schools that receive state funding to teach comprehensive sexual education, while ensuring that abstinence-only is the single sure way to prevent pregnancy and disease.

The Healthy Teens Act would provide medically accurate, age appropriate information beginning in the 6th grade. The bill outlines curriculum for which school districts may choose the manner to implement.

The bill is supported by a coalition of 31 medical and social organizations, and is being sponsored in the House by Rep. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall (D- Miami-Dade).

Its next stop is in the Senate Committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs.